The value of effectively training employees is undeniable. According to a report in HR Magazine, organizations that spend at least $1,500 on training for each of its workers per year enjoy, on average, 24 percent higher profit margins. That’s the kind of return on investment companies can embrace—investing in employees, who in turn drive greater success.
Companies that are serious about training their employees have plenty of options available. Finding one that works best not only for them, but also for the workers who will benefit from the development, is essential to maximize ROI and achieve the productivity gains that can lead to the higher profit margins alluded to in the HR Magazine report. Some of those approaches are detailed here:
Training Manuals
The stalwart of learning and development strategies for decades, training manuals offer all the information workers must know about their jobs and more. Often, these manuals take the form of preprinted volumes that are shipped to locations, or thick binders that must be printed locally but can be updated. Both options require plenty of shelving to store the manuals. And both options have proved to be inefficient when training employees because workers just don’t learn as effectively when forced to study dozens (or even hundreds) of pages that will take hours to absorb—if they are absorbed at all.
One-on-One Instruction
One employee, one manager or co-worker, and direct instruction. This can be an incredibly effective training strategy, often used at smaller businesses. At larger companies, however, one-on-one instruction with every employee, particularly new hires, is simply not feasible. The approach requires too much time of managers or qualified co-workers, who are pulled away from other important duties; any productivity gained from the training is lost from the hours required to conduct the training.
Live Classes
One instructor, one “classroom,” and several workers sitting at tables or desks. Although an upgrade from printed manuals, this approach to training employees is far from perfect. For starters, scheduling a dozen or more workers for sessions is challenging and pulls them away from the floor … all at once. Furthermore, because one instructor is in charge of several students—and often in a set time frame—there isn’t as much of an opportunity for employees to ask questions (and that’s if they aren’t apprehensive to ask in the first place). Live classes have their benefits, but diligent planning is required to pull them off.
Mobile Training
Mobile technology such as tablets and smartphones is revolutionizing the way companies are training employees. Learning and development content is uploaded to devices to be viewed whenever and wherever it’s convenient for the worker. Managers aren’t pulled away from their duties to conduct the training, and the logistics of organizing a group session disappears. If an employee does have a question or comment, he or she can leave it within the software. And perhaps most importantly, mobile training solutions all but eliminate the printed training manual that simply doesn’t resonate with the younger generation of workers.
Video Learning
The use of video in training employees is nothing new, and with today’s technology, it’s easier than ever. Shooting video once required expensive video cameras and advanced editing equipment, but it can now be done on an iPad. Moreover, today’s technology allows employees to watch video on mobile devices—no televisions or DVD players needed. Combined with mobile-based training solutions, video provides powerful training results with less effort.
What approach does your company prefer in training employees?
